Canines utilised for therapeutic purposes in the physical and social health of older people in long term care.

Abstract

Background: Interactions between animals and humans have been examined over many years giving rise to the belief that animals can act as therapeutic entities. Canines are the most common animal utilised due to their domestication and trainability. With the population now living longer there has been an influx of people residing in long term care facilities. The potential benefits of such interactions (referred to as canine-assisted interventions [CAIs]) for older people span across physical, emotional and social outcomes. To date the literature on this area examining the efficacy or otherwise of CAIs has been confounded by poor methodological design and variation in interventions in terms of setting, patient population, and outcomes used. Aims: This thesis explored through the systematic review of existing literature, the role of canines as therapeutic tools in the health and social care of the older population who reside in long term care facilities. More specifically the questions addressed were: What international literature exists in regards to the use of canines as therapeutic interventions in the health and social care of older people? How feasible are CAIs in the health and social care of older people? How appropriate are CAIs in the health and social care of older people? What is the meaningfulness of CAIs in the health and social care of older people? What are the effects of CAIs in the health and social care of older people? Method: The research questions were addressed by reviewing and synthesising the available international literature. This approach stems from the evidence-based movement, in particular through the development of the systematic review of evidence and its developing methodologies. Systematic reviews use transparent procedures to find, evaluate and synthesise the results of relevant research on a particular topic. Results: Four systematic reviews were conducted to determine whether CAIs were effective, meaningful, appropriate and feasible for older people in long term care. Limited in-depth analysis was undertaken across all of the reviews due to the lack and methodological quality (design and reporting) of the available research. A fifth paper was developed to describe the common limitations associated with the current research in this area and to recommend strategies for undertaking further CAI studies. Conclusions: CAIs may provide some short term benefits on a physical, social and emotional level for residents of long term care facilities. This systematic review of existing literature has highlighted a dearth of evidence-based material to support these benefits and considered ways in which rigorous data and evidence might be collected in future research.